Thursday, February 14, 2008

Singles: Are you ready to mingle?!

(Photo: One World Chicago)

From a massive salsa soirée to a "friends with benefits" bash, you don't have to be coupled up to have fun this weekend:

Chicago International Salsa Congress. The three-day festival occurs tonight through Feb. 17 with international Latin bands and some of the best dancers in the world. Seven shows, 60 dance workshops, and four nights of dancing to Latin orchestras until 3am. Dress to impress. Westin O'Hare (6100 River Road, Rosemont; 773-285-3197). $45-$329 (all-access pass)

Le Passage (937 N. Rush St., 312-255-0022). Take your "special buddy" to the Friends With Benefits party, which is also happening tonight. Get there between 9-10pm for a VIP reception sponsored by Effen vodka, and also enter a contest to win a lover's suite for one night at the James Hotel as well as a couple's massage at Urban Oasis. Free.

Martini Park (151 W. Erie St., 312-640-0577). Get ready to sing at the first-ever Love Rocks party with live karaoke setting it off with songs about amore. You're certain to make some new friends. Doors open at 7pm tonight. Free.

Provenance Food & Wine (2312 W. Leland Ave., 773.784.2314). Who knows who you'll run into at this last-minute Lincoln Square event happening tonight. Stop in for a wine tasting of dessert, sparkling and other great wines. 6-8pm. Free.

Victor Hotel (311 N. Sangamon St., 312-733-6900). Lip Service Productions hosts a sultry lingerie and fur fashion show with styles by Elan Furs and G Boutique. Show starts promptly at 11pm with music by DJ Buckley. $10 after 11pm.

Whiskey Blue (172 W. Adams St., 312-782-4933). After work tonight, head to the Spin Me launch party hosted by Jimmyjane. They've created a sexy twist to the classic game of mischief, and if you get there early enough you get to take home a game for yourself. Specialty cocktails included. 6-8pm tonight. Free.

Juicy Wine Co. (694 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-492-6620). The River West wine bar always has some offbeat talent coming in to deejay these days. On Feb. 15, they've got the dynamic, unpredictable duo, When the Eagle Met the Wolf (Bald Eagle and Mr. Wolf). Saturday look out for Darren from The Changes making his debut. It'll go down good with their nice wine selection, stinky cheese and grilled panini. Free.

Ohm (1958 W. North Ave., 773-278-4646). They're calling it Cupids Ball 2008, but don't go expecting anything romantic here. Their tagline is actually "Love Stinks...," so it should be a roomful of singles hanging out as though the holiday never existed. Dance music, drink specials and lots of revealing skin on the female patrons. 10pm-4am Feb. 15. $20.

La Pomme Rouge (108 W. Kinzie St., 312-245-9555). The weekly Radio Paradiso party offers a "French Kiss" theme for the weekend. Guests who arrive early for dinner get complimentary dessert and roses for the ladies. Also, DJs Andre Harris and Just Joey spin; $5 Stoli drinks and $8 Roseline martinis. Sponsored by Music 101 and Selective Search. Free.

Jbar (610 N. Rush St., 312-660-7200). Make your way to Sunday Night Service—especially since most folks have Monday off for Presidents Day. The chilled-out vibe is chic and mature, and is home to some of Chicago's best underground house deejays known for deep, sexy grooves. Come with a date, or find one here. Resident deejay Matty spins. 10pm-2am. Free.

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The Dish:

Audarshia Townsend's introduction to the online world began as one of the first two editors at metromix.com--where they set the tone for the entertainment site's cutting-edge style. She also has written lifestyle features for the Chicago Tribune, Essence, Los Angeles Times, Michigan Avenue, about.com, playboy.com, Huffington Post, DiningChicago.com, World's Best Bars and Upscale magazine. Additionally, she has appeared regularly on CLTV, WGN-TV and WCIU-TV's "You & Me This Morning" for cocktail-, dining- and nightlife-related features. In 2007, Audarshia launched 312DiningDiva.com, a daily dining-and-drinking blog keeping readers up to date on Chicago happenings. Her interests include staying fit with a regular Forrest Yoga practice, cycling in the city, and Flywheel Chicago classes.